Lasiorhinus krefftii (Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat)

Wikipedia Abstract

The northern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus krefftii), is one of three species of wombats. It is one of the rarest large mammals in the world and is critically endangered. Its historical range extended across New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland as recently as 100 years ago, but it is now restricted to one place, a 3 km² range within the 32 km² Epping Forest National Park in Queensland. In 2003 the total population consisted of 113 individuals, including only around 30 breeding females.

Infraspecies

Endangered Species

EDGE Analysis

This heavily-built marsupial is the largest known herbivorous burrowing mammal. It has a distinctive broad muzzle covered in fine hairs, and powerful limbs for burrowing. Nocturnal and mostly solitary, the wombat spends its days in a burrow and comes out at night to feed on grass. The species has suffered greatly since European settlement. It has lost much of its habitat to farming, and is predated by introduced mammals such as dingos. Today only a single colony remains, protected by a dingo-proof fence.